News Update
Super search ends: GISD board names superintendent finalist
By Monique Oaks, moaks@starlocalnews.com
The search for a new superintendent to lead the Garland ISD has narrowed to one candidate.
On Thursday, Jan. 24, the GISD Board of Trustees named Dr. Bob Morrison as the lone finalist for the position during a specially called meeting.
Morrison, a 24-year educator, has served as superintendent of Mansfield ISD for four years; he also held leadership positions in the curriculum department for six years, according to a GISD news release. He succeeds Dr. Curtis Culwell, who retired Dec. 21 after 14 years as GISD superintendent and 37 years in public education.
Following Culwell's announcement in August that he would retire, the GISD Board of Trustees began the process of finding his replacement. The process included hiring a search firm - School Executive Consulting - for assistance, as well as gathering information from an online survey, focus groups and a public meeting.
The focus groups discussed what they saw as district strengths and challenges as well as personal and professional characteristics the new superintendent should possess. In their meeting notes, all three groups listed desired qualities such as: respected, experienced, communicator, innovator and motivator.
Those qualities and Morrison's curriculum vitae are a perfect match, said Linda Griffin, board president.
"We just wanted to look for a visionary, innovative, educational leader that had his eye on delivering quality education," Griffin said. "It was a very difficult choice, because we had quality candidates that applied for the position, so it was not an easy task for us."
As superintendent of Mansfield, Morrison has led many innovative developments such as the 1-on-1 iPad initiative for high school students and teachers, the MISD iPhone App launch, a districtwide strategic plan, and the development, construction, and completion of a 5,500-seat auditorium and teacher professional development center, according to GISD.
Morrison is looking forward to the opportunities afforded within his new district, both for himself and for his family. He and his wife have three children.
"All the different programs that they have are very unique - a lot of their magnet programs," he said. "I have two children that will be [in] third and fifth grade next year, and as a parent, you know, you go for places where you want your kids to excel, and I think Garland provides that opportunity for them. So it's really exciting."
Morrison holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Phoenix and a master's degree in education from the University of Central Oklahoma, as well as a bachelor's degree of education in social science from Oklahoma Baptist University, according to the Mansfield ISD.
Morrison's wife is a high school counselor and a former math teacher, he said, who will now also be exploring new employment.
"High school counselors are a hot commodity, and math teachers can get a job anywhere, so it depends on what she wants to do," Morrison said. "... I can promise you, she's probably the better hire than I am."
The family will live within the Garland district.
"We took our job serious, through reviewing applications, interviews and deliberations, making sure that we protected the brand of excellence for Garland ISD," Griffin said. "We have a longstanding tradition of excellence - and of choice ... we are a district of choice."
And now the district of choice has made its choice.
Dr. Gary Reeves, who has been serving as interim superintendent since Jan. 1, will continue to do so until at least 21 days following Morrison's selection have passed and the district can formally offer Morrison the position.
Search Timeline
August 2012
· Dr. Curtis Culwell announces retirement
September 2012
· Board discusses transition process
· Board seeks proposals from search firms
October 2012
· Board selects School Executive Consulting Inc. to conduct search
· State and national promotion of open position begins
November 2012
· Search firm meets with community focus groups, school board, staff members
December 2012
· Board conducts public forum for community input
· Board meets with search firm to identify candidates
January 2013
· Board conducts candidate interviews
· Board names Dr. Bob Morrison as finalist
On Thursday, Jan. 24, the GISD Board of Trustees named Dr. Bob Morrison as the lone finalist for the position during a specially called meeting.
Morrison, a 24-year educator, has served as superintendent of Mansfield ISD for four years; he also held leadership positions in the curriculum department for six years, according to a GISD news release. He succeeds Dr. Curtis Culwell, who retired Dec. 21 after 14 years as GISD superintendent and 37 years in public education.
Following Culwell's announcement in August that he would retire, the GISD Board of Trustees began the process of finding his replacement. The process included hiring a search firm - School Executive Consulting - for assistance, as well as gathering information from an online survey, focus groups and a public meeting.
The focus groups discussed what they saw as district strengths and challenges as well as personal and professional characteristics the new superintendent should possess. In their meeting notes, all three groups listed desired qualities such as: respected, experienced, communicator, innovator and motivator.
Those qualities and Morrison's curriculum vitae are a perfect match, said Linda Griffin, board president.
"We just wanted to look for a visionary, innovative, educational leader that had his eye on delivering quality education," Griffin said. "It was a very difficult choice, because we had quality candidates that applied for the position, so it was not an easy task for us."
As superintendent of Mansfield, Morrison has led many innovative developments such as the 1-on-1 iPad initiative for high school students and teachers, the MISD iPhone App launch, a districtwide strategic plan, and the development, construction, and completion of a 5,500-seat auditorium and teacher professional development center, according to GISD.
Morrison is looking forward to the opportunities afforded within his new district, both for himself and for his family. He and his wife have three children.
"All the different programs that they have are very unique - a lot of their magnet programs," he said. "I have two children that will be [in] third and fifth grade next year, and as a parent, you know, you go for places where you want your kids to excel, and I think Garland provides that opportunity for them. So it's really exciting."
Morrison holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Phoenix and a master's degree in education from the University of Central Oklahoma, as well as a bachelor's degree of education in social science from Oklahoma Baptist University, according to the Mansfield ISD.
Morrison's wife is a high school counselor and a former math teacher, he said, who will now also be exploring new employment.
"High school counselors are a hot commodity, and math teachers can get a job anywhere, so it depends on what she wants to do," Morrison said. "... I can promise you, she's probably the better hire than I am."
The family will live within the Garland district.
"We took our job serious, through reviewing applications, interviews and deliberations, making sure that we protected the brand of excellence for Garland ISD," Griffin said. "We have a longstanding tradition of excellence - and of choice ... we are a district of choice."
And now the district of choice has made its choice.
Dr. Gary Reeves, who has been serving as interim superintendent since Jan. 1, will continue to do so until at least 21 days following Morrison's selection have passed and the district can formally offer Morrison the position.
Search Timeline
August 2012
· Dr. Curtis Culwell announces retirement
September 2012
· Board discusses transition process
· Board seeks proposals from search firms
October 2012
· Board selects School Executive Consulting Inc. to conduct search
· State and national promotion of open position begins
November 2012
· Search firm meets with community focus groups, school board, staff members
December 2012
· Board conducts public forum for community input
· Board meets with search firm to identify candidates
January 2013
· Board conducts candidate interviews
· Board names Dr. Bob Morrison as finalist
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